The proposed budget for the U.S. Department of Defense for the fiscal year that begins in October calls for a reduction of about 20,000 soldiers.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk with the National Guard in North Dakota says his office has been working on figuring out what the proposed cuts will mean for the state particularly in terms of personnel.

Sprynczynatyk says if personnel cuts do become necessary, he hopes early retirements can be offered to qualifying members.

The state’s National Guard force stands at roughly 4,400 soldiers. About 1,000 of them are in the Air National Guard.